What would pesto be without basil? Wouldn't it be bland without a little garlic and some olive oil? Ingredients such as these combine perfectly together, creating a well-balanced, aromatic dish, with heaps of flavor. Every cuisine makes use of a variety of base ingredients such as garlic, onions, celery and carrots - and these base ingredients can be used for everything from sauces to sautés. |
Cooking with aromatics |
Aromatics are a combination of vegetables and herbs, heated in some fat at the start of a dish. We cook in this order because the heated fat helps the ingredients release addictive aromas, which create deep flavors within the dish. This guide takes a look at some of the most common aromatics used for Chinese, French, Indian, Italian, Latin, Middle Eastern and Thai foods, whilst also offering other supplement ingredients. It goes without saying that you need not use all the ingredients listed. |
Cajun |
Aromatics used: Onion, celery, green bell pepper Fats: Cook the above in olive oil and/or butter Supplement with: Garlic, parsley, shallots and paprika |
Chinese |
Aromatics used: Garlic, scallions (green onions), ginger Fats: Fry in cooking oil Supplement with: Chilies, shallots, chives, cilantro, Chinese five spice, star anise |
French (Mirepoix - Chopped vegetable cut) |
Aromatics used: Onions, carrots, celery Fats: Cook with butter Supplement with: Parsley, thyme, bay leaves, Herbes de Provence |
|
Indian |
Aromatics used: Onions, garlic, chilies, ginger Fats: Heat the above using ghee Supplement with: Tomatoes, cardamom, cumin, cumin seeds, curry powder (or leaves, paste), cloves, fenugreek, Garam Masala, turmeric |
Italian (Soffritto) |
Aromatics used: Onions, carrots, celery Fats: Fry in olive oil Supplement with: Garlic, fennel, bay leaves, wine, parsley, sage, prosciutto, pancetta |
Latin (Sofrito) |
Aromatics used: Garlic, onions, bell peppers, tomatoes Fats: Cook with olive oil Supplement with: Chilies, bay leaves, cumin, paprika, cilantro, bacon, chorizo, ham, wine, vinegars |
Middle Eastern |
Aromatics used: Garlic, onions, tomatoes, scallions (green onions), raisins Fats: Use cooking oil and/or clarified butter Supplement with: Ginger, saffron, turmeric, cinnamon |
Thai (Curry pastes) |
Aromatics used: Shallots, garlic, chilies Fats: Cook with cooking oil and coconut milk Supplement with: Galangal, Kaffir lime, lemon grass, coconut milk |
Do Bay Leaves Actually Make a Difference in a Dish?
Bay leaves are overlooked by many home cooks. In this video food blogger Ethan Chleboski explains why they can actually can make quite a big difference...
This Top Trick Will Change the Way You Make Grilled Cheese
This strange trick will change the way you cook grilled cheese for good! Check out the recipe here.
Kitchen Tips: Make the Perfect Pancakes
This great food tutorial is going to show you the best tips and tricks to get the most perfect pancake.
This Quiz Will Test Your Knowledge of Herbs & Spices
How well do you know the healing properties of herbs and spices? Take this test and find out for yourself!
Feast Your Eyes on Jolanda Stokkermans' Food Art
The best I've seen to date - 13 images of Jolanda Stokkermans' impressive food art
5 Ancient Grains You Never Thought to Have for Breakfast
It’s no secret that one of the hardest things about cooking is deciding what to cook. We’re here to suggest 5 warm breakfasts you never thought of.
I Hope These Essential Kitchen Tips Make Your Life Easier
These tips will make you a master of your kitchen.
This Crispy Lemon Pie Is Made From Just One Batter!
It's hard to believe how this delicious dessert's creamy filling and perfect crunchy crust is made. Take a look and save the recipe.
How to Create the Perfect Home Pita Bread
If you've never tried pita bread, then you're missing out! This simple pita bread recipe will make you wonder why you never tried this before!
KFC's Original Fried Chicken Recipe is Finally Revealed...
Colonel Sanders' nephew reveals the original secret recipe for Kentucky Fried Chicken.
6 Mistakes We Make When Making Scrambled Eggs
If you want to make the perfect scrambled egg, follow these 6 simple tips.
Avocados Are Incredibly Versatile, as These 6 Recipes Show
Avocados are more versatile than you ever imagined, and I'm sure these 6 recipes will make you want to include them in your diet from hereon.
This Amazing Ice-Cream Recipe Comes from the 1700s
This is how Ice-cream was made in the 18th century. It was surprisingly made with Italian Parmesan. You've got to try this savory dessert!
Love Ginger Ale? Maybe It's Time You Made Your Own...
2 easy to make recipes for organic ginger ale and ginger beer
Make Much Better Eggs With These 10 Awesome Tips
You may think you're able to cook eggs well, but these tips will simply take your ability to a whole new level. Learn how to cook eggs right in this post.
15 Vegetables You Can Grow in a Garden Pot!
If you would love to grow vegetables, but have a limited amount of space, then we have just the solution for you - vegetables you can grow in a pot.
These Delicious Baked Dishes Have Become Family Favorites
These three, heavenly baked dishes have become family favorites in my kitchen. I encourage you to try them out!
18 Common Baking Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
If you like fresh pastry, but your baking attempts have been less than successful, there's a good chance you're "guilty" of these 18 common baking mistakes.
Surprise Everyone By Serving Them a Cake Inside an Egg!
No one will see this coming, these eggs contain little cakes...
This Is How Long You Can Freeze These Foods For!
We all know that freezing food prevents it from rotting. Here's a complete guide to how long you can let different foods stay frozen until they go bad!
Impress Your Guests With This Easily Made Apple Swan!
A simple and easy way to beautify any set table with beautiful little apple swans!
Make 10 Scrumptious Dishes Using Only 3 Ingredients!
When I watch a cooking show on TV or grab a recipe book, they all look delicious, but each one requires so many ingredients – some of which I can’t even find. Using only 3 ingredients, these recipes will allow you to quickly make mouth watering dishe
For a Twist on Carrot Cake, Try These Bite-Sized Cookies
For a delicious twist on carrot cake, try these cookie bites! Perfect for an afternoon snack.
Enjoy Guilt-Free, Delicious Brownies With This Great Recipe
This is a sweet brownie treat you'll definitely want to try - delicious, guilt-free four-ingredient brownies! Read the recipe here.
Why Settle For Regular Toast When You Can Have THESE?
Change things up a bit with 17 original and delicious pieces of toast!
These Quick Snacks Are Proven To Be Healthy and Cheap
A video from John Hopkins University shows us that healthy food doesn't have to be a burden on your bank account or your watch. These easy and affordable snacks can help keep you moving.
What EVERYONE Should Know About Fruits and Veggies
Amazing facts you probably don't know about the best things we should all eat every day.
This Is Arguably the Tastiest Carrot Cake You'll Ever Make
Carrot cake is such a wonderful dessert that even people who dislike the funny-shaped root vegetable can't resist it. This easy-to-follow recipe will show you how to make a delicious carrot cake.
The 12 Best Foods for Your Abs!
Introducing the 12 best foods to burn excess stomach fat and keep your body trimmed and thin.
Boost Your Immune Health With This Ayurvedic Drink
Check out this wonderful traditional Ayurvedic drink called kadha that is known to boost immunity and fight the cold.
4 Heavenly Chicken Soups to Spoil Yourself with This Winter
Chicken is a common soup ingredient because of its ideal tenderness and taste. Presenting 4 of the many irresistible ways to make the chicken soup of your dreams.
15 Warming Soup Recipes Perfect for Cold Weather
If the cold days are upon you and you’re ready to treat yourself with a special, yet very healthy meal, prepare one of these 15 warming soups
A Fool-Proof Chili Recipe for Winter Nights!
Here's a classic and delicious chili recipe that can be made in just about an hour!
You Won't Believe What This Healthy Bread is Made of...
Wow, have you tried these new veggie flatbread recipes?! They are healthy, tasty, gorgeous and easy. Those are a few of my favorite things.
13 Delicious Juice Recipes to Detox Your Body With...
Follow this guide to learn how to make 13 delicious juices that'll help you detoxify your body.
You Deep Fried WHAT? Weird Fried Foods and More
Have you ever tried fried maple leaves? Or a deep fried scorpion? Watch people prepare these weird meals and a few more traditional ones, too
I Could Eat This Yummy No-Oven Cake Every Day!
When a sweet tooth strikes, this is the dessert to make! No oven is needed.
These Halloween Cupcakes Are Simply the Best!
Halloween is always a fun time of year, but it's about to become more delicious and more fun thanks to this gorgeous trio of cupcakes! Here's the recipe.
These Pies Are Truly a Feast for the Eyes and the Stomach!
If you love pies, then you absolutely need to check out these incredibly beautiful pie crusts, which are utter masterpieces.
This Beef Stroganoff is the Ultimate Comfort Food
This recipe will show you how to make the ultimate comfort food - beef stroganoff.
This is How You Make Delicious Home-Made Hummus
Hummus is delicious, and you'll be surprised how easy it is to make your own.
The KFC Secret Recipe Cat Is Out of the Bag - Here it Is
Colonel Sanders' nephew reveals the original secret recipe for Kentucky Fried Chicken.
6 Delicious Tuna Recipes You Just Have to Try
Fish dishes are an easy and great way to provide ourselves and people close to us fast and healthy meals full of protein and amino acids. These 6 different recipes use tuna fish in its many forms!
Cooking Mistakes: Keep These Foods Out of the Microwave!
It may seem like a good idea to reheat the following foods in microwave, but doing so could actually be a health hazard. Read on to learn more.
How to Make Delicious and Healthy Avocado Chocolate Cake
Everyone thinks cakes are unhealthy, but it doesn't always have to be the case! This tasty and healthy chocolate avocado cake is a great example of this!
10 Piping Hot Soups to Keep You Warm Throughout Winter
These soups are amazingly tasty, and will keep you warm on a cold winter's day. Yet the most amazing thing is that they are all under 300 calories.
Eat These Foods for Breakfast If You're Diabetic
Breakfast is a very important meal of the day, even more so if you're diabetic. Here are 8 healthy breakfast options for those who suffer from diabetes.